Roundabout Pre-School

Newsletter

January 2014

Happy New Year to Roundabouters Old and New!!!

Hello to all, but a special welcome to all the families of our new children: Ashton, Evelyn, Lucy and Jacob. You have all been very grown up when Mummy or Daddy has dropped you off, and have already begun to enjoy your time with us at Roundabout. Well done!

Our Staff Team

The Roundabout team is to undergo a few changes over the coming weeks. I (Kate) will be commencing maternity leave from February half-term. Sophie will be stepping up to room leader, (Carrie will be continuing in her role as deputy) and we will be joined by a new member of staff Annie. Annie is a well qualified and experienced childcare practitioner and we are sure she will be an excellent addition to our team. As I’m sure you can understand Sophie will have increased responsibility with her new role, and will therefore be reducing her numbers of key children. Sophie will be chatting with all parents concerned over the next week or so.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents, carers and children for making the last year so enjoyable for me – your care, concern, understanding and good humour has been much appreciated and I will miss you all over the next year. Then I will be back!!!!

Our newest member of the team, Charlotte, has been doing an excellent job with her key children and bonds have already formed. We hope to support Charlotte to continue to grow in confidence and experience.

We also have Natalie who has temporarily joined the Roundabout team - , Natalie will be with us on student placement for the next 6 weeks.

Although we no longer follow strict ‘topics’ or ‘themes’ within the room (preferring to be led by children’s natural interests), we still aim to raise the children’s awareness of what is going on in our own country and around the world. Therefore over the next few months we will be exploring activities around Chinese New Year, Pancake Day, St David’s Day and St Patrick’s Day. If there are any parents who are knowledgeable/ patriotic/ passionate on any of these (or any other) significant celebrations – then please let us know.

Whatever the weather......

Please can all parents and carers ensure that your children come to Roundabout with all the necessary kit! We play outside in all weathers and it is completely in the children’s hands when they go outside – wellies, gloves, hats and scarves, etc make the whole process more enjoyable for all concerned, and we don’t have a lot of spares! Please label all items clearly.

Calling all Volunteers!We would love to see more parent volunteers at Roundabout – if you have the time please let us know. No amount of time is too small and we would always organise sessions to suit you – as little or as often as you would like. Our fabulous volunteer, Nanna Sue, comes to play twice a week and both the staff and the children benefit massively from her being there. So thank you Nanna Sue!

The children often engage in conversations on what people who are close to them do for a living – and we hope to be having a talk from one parent who is a midwife in the very near future – so if you feel you would like to share your professional knowledge/hobbies or interests with our group of interested 2,3 and 4 year olds, then please see Sophie, Carrie or your child’s key person. We can guarantee that the children would be a gentle audience!

Updating our info

Please would all parents ensure that we have the correct contact details for all those who are named as contacts for the children within our care. It is vital that we can contact you efficiently should the need arise.

SCRAP PAPER NEEDED! ALL DONATIONS WELCOME!

Bertie the Bear

Very soon you will be getting to meet Bertie the Bear! Bertie will be coming to all of our children’s houses for a sleepover! Bertie has his own case, toothbrush, pyjamas and diary – and it would be fantastic if you would support your child to ‘write’ or draw a picture to let us know what Bertie got up to during his time with you.

Fundraising Brick Build

It’s back! The extremely popular brick build is to take place week beginning 3rd March (second week back after half term). The children will soon be provided with sponsorship forms – the idea is to collect as many sponsors as possible (you may wish to sponsor your child per brick or just donate a set amount). The children will then challenge themselves to build as tall a tower as possible, using our wooden bricks. All children will receive a certificate and small prize for taking part. There is also a prize for the family who raise the most money – a pair of Leeds Rhinos Tickets! Please get behind us and support your child to raise money for Roundabout – the event proved really successful last year and we would love to repeat that success. We hope to put raised funds towards buying a laptop/laptops for the children to use in the room.

Dates for the Academic Year

Holiday

Roundabout Closes

Roundabout Opens

Spring mid-term

Friday 14th February

Tuesday 25th February

Easter break

Friday 4th April

Tuesday 22nd April

May bank holiday

Friday 2nd May

Tuesday 6th May

Summer mid-term

Friday 23rd May

Monday 2nd June

Summer

Tuesday 22nd July

Newlaithes Training Days: (Roundabout will be closed to children on these days)